Unlocking Mid-Range Punch: short-Ratio Crown Wheel & Pinion Upgrade for Porsche 981 & 718
If you drive a GT4 (981 or 718) or any of its manual-transmission Cayman/Boxster siblings, you’ve probably noticed: the gearing in certain stages feels a little longer than you might expect. We know this well, after years of servicing, tuning, and driving these Porsches, we realised one of the most common complaints is the relative lack of punch in the mid-range. The factory gearing delivers blistering top speeds, but at the cost of responsiveness when you want it most in the real world.
That’s why we have developed the short-ratio crown wheel & pinion upgrade. It’s an elegant way to sharpen the drive without altering the gearsets themselves. Here’s what it does, why it works, and what you get out of it.
What is the Low-Ratio Crown Wheel & Pinion Upgrade?
Fundamentally, the conversion changes the final drive ratio rather than touching each individual gear within the gearbox. The upgrade delivers about 14% shorter final drive, which translates to more immediate response in real-world driving. Less revving just to get moving and more torque felt through the mid-range.
Built to OEM+ strength by our manufacturing partner with decades of high precision engineering experience (aerospace, defence, racing), this isn’t a “cheap fix” but a proper, robust solution. In fact, we have been carrying out upgrades on crown wheel and pinions for almost 25 years!
We’re also in the advanced stages of developing a gearbox oil cooler upgrade, which is currently undergoing track testing. This new system is designed to complement our crown wheel and pinion upgrade, ensuring that the entire drivetrain package performs flawlessly even under the most demanding conditions. By keeping gearbox temperatures under control during high-stress environments such as extended track sessions. This oil cooler will also be compatible and a great addition to the standard GT4 and GTS cars.
What changes will you notice?
| Before Upgrade: | After Upgrade: |
|---|---|
| Mid-range feels flat; you need to downshift to feel punch | Mid-range punch is restored; you’ll feel more acceleration earlier |
| 3rd gear high speed is usable, but requires revs | Third gear becomes more usable for overtakes and twisty roads without hunting for revs. For example, factory 3rd reaches 114 mph; with the upgrade, that drops to 98 mph, making it a lot more usable |
| Top speed in 6th is very high, 191mph out of the factory, this isn’t something you’ll be hitting very often | Top speed is reduced in 6th, but the trade-off is refined responsiveness and a more satisfying drive. On many roads, you’ll be in the ideal powerband more often |
Who Is This Upgrade Best For?
This upgrade is perfect for you if:
You do lots of road driving, especially twisty sections, B-roads or hilly areas, and want more immediate response rather than chasing high speeds on long straights.
You want to retain the factory gearbox feel and durability, rather than having to replace gears or swap transmissions.
You’re not primarily interested in top-end speed, but want better usable, everyday performance.
What Are the Trade-Offs?
Of course, nothing is free:
Top speed drops: Theoretical top speed in 6th decreases (factory 191 mph drops down, more to 165 mph after the upgrade)
Revs in 6th are higher at motorway speeds, potentially resulting in more engine noise.
If being tracked regularly, we would suggest more frequent gearbox oil changes.
Applications & Compatibility
The upgrade is available for most manual-gearbox Porsche 981 & 718 models:
| 981: | 718: |
|---|---|
| 2.7 | 4.0 GTS |
| 3.4 S | GT4 |
| 3.4 GTS | Spyder |
| GT4 | |
| Spyder |
For more perspective on how the low-ratio crown wheel and pinion upgrade affects the driving experience of a GT4, check out the Carfection video on our test car!
In Summary
If you drive a GT4 or any of its manual cousins and you want:
stronger mid-range pull
more time spent in the powerband
a more engaging, responsive drive…
Then the low-ratio crown wheel & pinion conversion offers a well-balanced upgrade. You’ll sacrifice a touch of theoretical top speed, but what you gain is better driveability, faster reactions, and more fun, making it a massive upgrade in real-world functionality!
If you are interested in this upgrade for your Porsche, then please contact our workshop team for further details!
SPEAK WITH OUR WORKSHOP TEAM TODAY
If you would like a quote and to book your Porsche in for an upgrade, please contact our workshop team on
+44 (0)1296 663 824 or send us an enquiry online.
